Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Vierge noire

Since my first visit, Rocamadour is one of my favourite places. In 2009, when I followed the Via Podensis, I took a detour, to reach Rocamadour by foot, like so many pilgrims since medieval times. Rocamadour attracted pilgrims over centuries and hass a legend, similar to that of Santiago de Compostella . Here in 1166 the grave of St. Veronica´s husband Zacchaeus the Tax Collector (Luke 19) was found. He had moved from Jerusalem to this place in Gaul / France in his older age and lived here as a hermit under the name of Amadour. The medieval pilgrims climbed up the 216 steps to the sanctuary, a cluster of churches and chapels, on their knees. Here is "Notre Dame de Rocamadour" (aka "La Vierge Noire", "Black Madonna of Rocamadour", "Our Lady of Rocamadour"..). Henry Plantagenet (aka "Henry II of England") was an early pilgrim here. Legends tell, that the statue was created by Zacchaeus / Amadour, but it was rather within the 10th or 11th century.

Since the 12th century Liesse hosted a statue of a "Black Virgin", known as "Notre Dame de Liesse, source et cause de notre joie", and ever since then Liesse has been a center of Marian pilgrimage. Liesse was even a favorite destination for royal pilgrimages, visited by Louis VII, Charles VI, Charles VII and others. The basilica was built during the late 13th and early 14th centuries and probably replaced an earlier chapel. It was probably erected with stones left over from the construction of the nearby Laon Cathedral. The portal and façade were constructed in the 15th century The statue is seen in the center. A legend tells, that it has been brought to Liesse by three Knights Hospitaller, named Jean, Hector, and Henri. During the Cruisade they were captured and taken to the Sultan of Egypt. The knights refused to convert to Islam despite promises of gold and honor. Angels brought the three imprisoned knights a small statue of Our Lady for consolation. The Sultan decided to send his daughter to the dungeon to convert the prisoners, but having learned about the Christian god she assisted in the knights´ escape. During the flight they fall asleep, and during their sleep were miraculously transported to Northern France. They woke up close to the Eppes´ castle in Picardy, where they came from. The Sultan´s daughter Ismeria, who had accompanied them, was baptised in the cathedral of Laon. The knights preserved the statue of the Madonna, and built a church to receive Our Lady of Liesse. That´s the legend "behind" the Black Virgin.

Since the 12th century Liesse hosted a statue of a "Black Virgin", known as "Notre Dame de Liesse, source et cause de notre joie", and ever since then Liesse has been a center of Marian pilgrimage. Liesse was even a favorite destination for royal pilgrimages, visited by Louis VII, Charles VI, Charles VII and others. The basilica was built during the late 13th and early 14th centuries and probably replaced an earlier chapel. It was probably erected with stones left over from the construction of the nearby Laon Cathedral. The portal and façade were constructed in the 15th century In 1568 the troops of the Protesant Prince of Orange looted Liesse and the basilica village. The soldiers broke the statue, removed the bells and set fire to the church. The restoration was completed in 1577.